UI offers free admission route to 2026 Post-UTME candidates — deadline, fees, courses and how to apply

• UI offers free ODeL admission to eligible 2026 Post-UTME candidates, with applications closing on August 15, 2026.

• University of Ibadan ODeL courses include Computer Science, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, English and Social Work, among others.

• UI ODeL applicants must complete the required JAMB CAPS process, while tuition and other academic fees still apply.

Candidates who participated in the 2026 University of Ibadan (UI) Post-UTME but may not secure admission into the university’s conventional programmes have another option.

The University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (UIDLC) is offering eligible candidates the opportunity to switch to Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL).

Prof. Olufade Onifade, Director of UIDLC, confirmed via an official press release that 2026 Post-UTME candidates not admitted into conventional programmes can still earn a University of Ibadan degree through the Distance Learning Centre.

For candidates who sat for the 2026 UI Post-UTME, the change of mode is free. However, this does not mean the ODeL programme is tuition-free.

Students will still pay applicable acceptance, tuition and other academic charges. UIDLC also operates a payment structure for its learners, with its academic calendar showing separate acceptance and tuition payments.

The special cohort is scheduled to begin on August 17, 2026, while the application deadline is August 15, 2026.

The special change-of-mode option is aimed at 2026 UI Post-UTME candidates who are qualified but cannot secure a place in the conventional mode because of limited spaces.

Other qualified candidates who did not sit for the UI Post-UTME may also apply as fresh ODeL applicants, subject to the programme’s admission requirements.

The waived application fee applies strictly to candidates who wrote the 2026 UI Post-UTME. Direct ODeL applicants who did not participate in the UI Post-UTME must pay standard application fees

UIDLC admits students through both O’Level and Direct Entry routes. Its official admission requirements state that candidates can enter through the four-year Direct Entry route or the five-year O’Level route, depending on their qualifications and chosen programme.

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For 2026 UI Post-UTME candidates eligible for the change of mode, the process begins on the UI portal.

Go to modeofstudy.ui.edu.ng.

Candidates can also access admission information through the official UIDLC website.

Use the details associated with your 2026 UI Post-UTME application.

Choose the Open, Distance and eLearning mode of study and select an available programme for which you qualify.

For candidates who participated in the 2026 UI Post-UTME, the change-of-mode application is free.

Monitor JAMB CAPS and complete any required change-of-institution or course process so that your admission information is properly reflected with JAMB. CAPS is JAMB’s system for processing admissions into tertiary institutions.

If a change of institution or course is required, candidates can use JAMB’s official Change of Course/Institution service.

Once the offer appears on JAMB CAPS, accept it and follow JAMB’s instructions for obtaining the admission letter.

JAMB’s official portal also provides services for checking admission status and printing admission letters.

After completing the admission process, follow UIDLC’s instructions for acceptance, tuition payment, course registration and other onboarding requirements.

The special pathway includes programmes across the sciences, social sciences, arts, education and social work.

• Computer Science

• Economics

• Political Science

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Statistics

• English

• Communication and Language Arts

• Other programmes

• B.Ed. Educational Management

• B.Sw. Social Work

Candidates should confirm the courses currently available and their specific requirements on the UIDLC admission page before applying.

The Centre provides programme-specific requirements for its different faculties.

Yes. Candidates should not assume that changing their study mode on the UI portal completes the entire admission process.

Where required, candidates should ensure that their change of institution or course is properly reflected through JAMB CAPS, monitor their admission status and accept the offer on CAPS when it becomes available.

They should also obtain their JAMB Admission Letter after the admission has been properly processed.

The university’s admission process and JAMB’s CAPS process should therefore remain consistent throughout the application.

Yes. UIDLC accepts candidates through Direct Entry, depending on the programme and qualification.

Its admission requirements recognise qualifications including A’ Levels, NCE, OND/ND, HND, diplomas and previous degrees for relevant programmes and entry routes.

Some programmes may also provide shorter or special entry routes for candidates with higher qualifications. Applicants should check the requirements for their chosen programme rather than assuming that every qualification automatically qualifies them for Fast Track.

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For the general O’Level route, UIDLC requires five O’Level credits at one sitting or six credits at two sittings, including English Language.

Candidates must also have the relevant subjects for their chosen course. UIDLC accepts O’Level results from WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and GCE, subject to programme-specific requirements.

ODeL Students use digital learning materials, virtual classes, the learning management system and other online resources.

However, candidates should not assume that everything happens online. UIDLC’s academic calendar includes both virtual facilitation and physical interactive sessions, meaning students may need to attend scheduled academic activities in person.

Students therefore need reliable internet access and a suitable device. A laptop or computer is advisable for assignments, assessments and sustained coursework, although some activities can be accessed through a smartphone.

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The ODeL route leads to a University of Ibadan degree. The major difference is the mode of learning rather than the university awarding the degree.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) lists the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre among Nigeria’s approved distance-learning centres.

• Application deadline: August 15, 2026

• Special cohort begins: August 17, 2026

• Change-of-mode fee: Free for eligible 2026 UI Post-UTME candidates

Candidates should complete the process early and rely only on official UI, UIDLC and JAMB channels for admission information.

The most important thing to remember is that free change of mode does not mean free tuition.

Candidates should also complete the relevant JAMB/CAPS requirements, confirm their course and entry level, and make sure they can meet the financial and technological demands of distance learning.